The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a high-level delegation led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif will hold talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today (Saturday).
The foreign ministry said the talks would mainly focus on “immediate steps to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan from Afghanistan” and restoration of “peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border”.
The governments in Islamabad and Kabul on Friday extended a 48-hour truce for the duration of Doha talks as they seek to resolve clashes that have killed dozens of people and injured hundreds over the past week, part of the worst violence between the two South Asian countries since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.
“Pakistan does not seek escalation, urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable measures against terrorist entities, including FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.
The ministry also appreciated Qatar’s mediation efforts and hoped that these discussions would contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, a Pakistani delegation was already in the Qatari capital for talks with the Taliban regime, state sources said on Saturday.
Earlier, Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Taliban government, had also confirmed that a high-level delegation from Afghanistan had left for Doha on Saturday for peace talks with Pakistan.
“As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha,” Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, adding that the Kabul team was led by Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob.
This is a developing story and is updated with the latest information.
